It was definitely very pleasing for Tiger admirers that it could win a photo finish against its traditional rival Zimbabwe at Bangladesh home of cricket Mirpur Dhaka. They need to keep winning and at least win one of the remaining two tests at Khulna or Chittagong.
Over disastrous first ten months 2014 Bangladesh failed to win any match against a major team and rather lost to Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
The expected win against Zimbabwe came after keen battle in the low scoring match on a treacherous wicket on the third test of the test match through brilliant bowling of Taijul Islam.
Resilient Zimbabweans made a game of it in defending a very small target of 101. Bangladesh could get a sigh of relief when skipper Mushfiq and Taijul could lead the team across and over the rope in the bubble tight contest.
If we believe in the maxim “Morning shows the day” there is no reason to conclude yet that the remaining two tests can be one way traffic.
The visitors will definitely leave nothing unturned to extend and stretch Bangladesh team to its limit. This write up will try to preview the next two tests taking some clues from the first test and relative strength and weaknesses of the teams.
Bangladesh has a little bit of concern leading to the second test. Tamim has a minor injury and Taijul was suspected to have Jaundice. It is expected that both will be match fit and available to play. Anamul Huq now in India has been drafted in the side for Al Amin.
Nobody has much idea about how the Khulna wicket behaves. If the Dhaka surface surprised both teams Khulna wicket also may not be different. It could be much better to start the series at Khulna and before that play the warm up match there to acclimatize even Bangladesh team with the surface.
At Dhaka we have seen Bangladeshi batsmen struggled to play against accurate but not hostile Zimbabwean pace attack. Their spinners could hardly make any impression upon the tigers.
On the other hand Bangladeshi spin trio teased and tormented the visitors and looked almost unplayable at some stages of the game. This pattern will be continued whatever exercises batsmen of both teams might have done in between.
But the side which could iron out their limitations a little may adjust a little better in the second test. Tigers must go all out to stamp their authority from the very outset and play good aggressive cricket. Winning the second test will not only assure the series win but also create a strong foundation of earning a series white wash which win significantly improve Bangladesh standing in ICC ranking.
Bangladesh batting needs lot of brain storming and thinking. Let us not talk about the second innings. Let us try to analyze the Bangladesh batting in the first innings on the second day of the test when the wicket was at its best.
Tamim got a brute of a delivery which he could not avoid. He is our premiere batsman and it is too early for anyone to think of even giving him rest at this stage. A good bright innings from Tamim may be just around the corner and I am sure one good innings will definitely put him back on his groove.
Whenever Tamim produces a substantial score the team always has potential to make good score. We are not very sure Shamsur Rahman can give Bangladesh a good start. Anamul is inducted for the second test .But how he performed in Eden Gardens 150 years celebration cricket? But as the team has been announced already there is little choice to play one of them. If the opening pair can safely see off the first 10-15 overs unscratched then I do not think Zimbabweans bowlers can really do much as their spin attack look pretty ordinary.
We are really impressed with the technique and temperament of Mominul Huq. He was looking solid in the first innings of the first test till he unnecessarily attempted the suicidal run just before lunch. We hope someone in the team think tank did have a friendly chat advising him to maintain his exposure for a longer time to convert his good start to a long innings.
Once again we will recommend best technically equipped Bangladeshi batsman at the moment Mushfiq to bat at number four which is a very crucial position for any team. We must not be got wrong.
Mahmuddullah batted admirably well. But we think Mushfique is perhaps now at the peak of his form. He has solid defense and can build up his innings at any stage rotating the singles. He is the ideal runner between the wickets and can also mentor young Mominul on the other end if required. In both the innings Mushfque’s temperament came handy though he unnecessarily hurried in the first innings while playing with tail enders.
Shakib is a natural stroke maker and five is his ideal position in tests. With is great array of strokes and natural ability of taking the fight to the bowlers Shakib can destroy any attack on his day.
Mahmuddulah have started looking solid and will serve the team better at number six. I am not sure whether Bangladesh should persist with Shubhagato Hom or give Marshall Ayub a break. Ayub can be a floater. He can bat at top order or at late middle order. If Bangladesh opts to play with one pacer I would suggest playing both Subhagato and Ayub to have an additional batting cover.
I think Taijul, Jubair and Shakib trio can continue causing great headache for the visitors and combine to win the test series for Bangladesh. During the peak days of Indian spin attack even India used to play test with one pacer Abid Ali. Bedi, Prasanna, Chandrasekhar and Venkatragbhan won many tests for India. We are not comparing Bangladeshi spin attack with the all-time great Indian spin maestros yet.
But situation on low slow turning track Bangladeshi spin trio have shown similar match winning skills. But in any case Bangladesh has to improve a lot in batting. We must not think that we will keep winning through batting the way we did at Dhaka test. We must target batting at least five sessions and target scoring 350 plus. In test match one must not hurry. Playing a solid 50 in 100 delivery is way better than even scoring a bright 70 in 70 deliveries. Batsmen getting start must go on setting a good foundation allowing others to bat around him. Running between the wickets needs to improve a lot. Three unnecessary run outs in the first innings at Dhaka test especially that of Mominul and Shakib hurt Bangladesh cause badly. If Bangladesh could do without these it could be in much comfortable position in the test and who knows could win much more easily without creating panic.
Zimbabwe will definitely go all out for bouncing back. That is why there will be desperation in them which Bangladesh must exploit .The first test has exposed their weakness against spin bowling. Bangladesh spin trio must be used smartly by Mushfiq. One or two batsmen may try to target teenager Jubair to put him under pressure. Leggies enjoy bowling against aggressive Batsmen. He must be used judiciously. Shakib knows bowling under all condition and Taijul proved to be relentless.
So the bottom line is Bangladesh must keep winning is to play positive attacking cricket, bat with purpose, run singles smartly, bowl like they bowled at Dhaka and take all catches. Bangladesh must put every effort to win at Khulna.
If Bangladesh loose the focus somehow and let Zimbabwe come back at Khulna it may put Bangladesh under severe stress in the Dhaka test. So tigers must make hay while sun shines tigers. Tigers must grow habit of winning tests.
BDST: 1615 HRS, OCT 30, 2014
